Mayor Bill Peduto said Thursday that construction will begin this month on protected two-way lanes in Schenley Plaza, from Schenley Plaza to Anderson Playground, and on Saline Street, between Greenfield Avenue and Swinburne Street.

That will be followed by downtown construction on Penn Avenue from 11th Street to Stanwix Street, Peduto said. The current eastbound car lane on that stretch of Penn will be replaced by two bike lanes, east and west. Eastbound car traffic will shift to Fort Duquesne Boulevard and Liberty Avenue. Future plans call for the downtown bike lanes to connect to the city's trail systems and the Strip District.

People who ride their bikes downtown welcomed the news when it first broke last month.

"It would be great. It would be a whole lot safer down here. I come down here every other weekend and it's dangerous," bicyclist Bob Olech said.

Those who ride bikes on city streets say it will make a difference for safety and livability for everyone. But some drivers aren't sold yet.

"I'm against that. It causes traffic and I'm trying to get to appointments for work, things like that. Anytime any road is shut off, it's pretty bad," said motorist Brian Davis.

"Bicycle only? No cars? I think it needs to be open for traffic," said Joe Colondrea, who was driving on Penn Avenue.

One cab driver parked nearby disagreed.

"I think we need bicycles in this city. (It will) help with the traffic. I'm all for it," said cab driver Ralph Carter.

"I think it's terrific. I think any way that we can add more accessibility to downtown and give different options and nodes of transit is something positive for businesses, residents and people commuting," said Michael Mcallister, who lives on Penn Avenue.

The group Bike Pittsburgh welcomes the plan.

"It'll help encourage people who want to bike to get out there and give it a shot, as well as the people who are (biking already and) give them a safe space to get where they need to go," said Bike Pittsburgh Advocacy Director Eric Boerer.

Peduto wants the downtown bike lane in place by Sept. 8, when the Pro Bike/Pro Walk/Pro Place organization will hold its conference in Pittsburgh. Up to 1,000 people, including city planners and transportation engineers, are expected to attend.